Bee Hotels

I now have two bee hotels fixed to the central shed. One is from my old plot but the other was a recent purchase from Aldi. The lower section originally contained pine cones with wire mesh over the front. I removed these and refilled the space with sand and then covered it with a layer of mortar. A piece of cane made the holes before I allowed it to dry. I already have plans for several more as well as 'bee bank' for Mining Bees but that's for next year.

Small bee hotel with an Osmia bicornis

The deluxe version

Greenhouse Door

Over the weekend I made a door for the 'greenhouse'. It's a very snug fit but it will keep out all the draughts and keep the interior much warmer than the outside temperature. I just have the windows to sort out. However I have started to put some tomatoes, cucumbers and courgettes in there to take advantage of the additional heat

Door frame under construction

The almost finished door. Double 'glazed' at the bottom and shade netting for the top half

There's still a lot of work to do at the rear of the plot

Eight weeks of hard work

Eight weeks of hard work, clearing weeds, making repairs, replanting and sowing are finally paying off. There is still so much to do but at least the basics are all in place and I can potter about, stay dry and have somewhere to sit and make tea.

The woodchip path

New roof on the concrete shed with view over Cobbydale

The main shed with cold frame. planters and insect hotels 

Onions, shallots and salads

Runner, Broad and French Beans with some peas too

Root vegetables with more peas